History of Schuylkill Valley Emergency Medical Services

The Idea of forming an Ambulance Association in Leesport was originated by John L. Kramer and Raymond Keefer in the Fall of 1959. Many men throughout the community foreseen the need to provide such a service and began forming the Organization now known as Schuylkill Valley Emergency Medical Services.

In March 1960 the Charter was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and initially inscribed The Schuylkill Valley Ambulance Association of Leesport, Pennsylvania. By late fall of 1960 the Cadillac Ambulance was housed in a partially constructed building on land donated by the Borough of Leesport. Immediately the Association was supported by the residents of Leesport and Surrounding Areas. Two years later in 1962 The Organization had to purchase a second Ambulance to be able to cover the calls that were being received for assistance.

The Organization continued to grow and in 1984 an Addition was added to the current station to house the once known Northcentral Berks Paramedics. This Paramedic service was developed by local BLS services that saw the need to have Paramedics available in the area. The Paramedics service would cover the Schuylkill Valley, Hamburg, Muhlenberg and Bethel Community Ambulance area. As times changed the Organizations worked closer together and merged in 1996 creating the Schuylkill Valley Emergency Medical Services Organization that currently provides ALS / BLS service to the Borough of Leesport and Surrounding areas.

March 2010 will mark our 50 Year Anniversary